Shag rug groomer

ABSTRACT

A groomer for shag rugs having two parallel rows of resiliently flexible tines which extend past rug-engaging wheels to rake the strands of the carpet when the device is pushed or pulled across the carpet.

United States Patent 1 Kingston 8/1932 Flynn l5/373 June 26, 1973 3,538,533 11/1970 Woods ..15/236R 3,685,089 8/1972 Lagerstrom 15/142 Primary Examine rLeon G. Machlin Attorney-Carter H. Kokjer and Joseph B. Bowman [57] ABSTRACT A groomer for shag rugs having two parallel rows of resiliently flexible tines which extend past rug-engaging wheels to rake the strands of the carpet when the device is pushed or pulled across the carpet.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures nnnnpnnfiiinnn EEEEEEE-Ii PATENTEB JUNE 5 3. 740. 7 88 I N VE NTOR ATTORNEKS SHAG RUG GROOMER DISCLOSURE The commercial or heavy-duty grade of shag rug is becoming increasingly prevalent in business establishments such as hotels and restaurants which have areas of high floor traffic and still desire to retain the elegance and warmth afforded by carpeting. It has been found that shag rug carpeting not only wears well, but also conceals quite well the aftermath of continued use, such as cigarette burns, stains and the like, due to the long carpet strands which lay in an irregular pattern.

Continuous traffic on rugs of this character tends to mat the strands. There is a need for an inexpensive appliance which rejuvenates shag rugs to restore the loft and irregular pattern thereto. A primary object of this invention is to provide such a device.

Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appertenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a shag rug groomer, constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the groomer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly sectional, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the interior side of one tine or finger of the groomer; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, the shag rug groomer includes a base block 10, preferably constructed of wood. Secured by screws 11 to the underside of the block are a pair of L-shaped brackets 12 which hold, at the lower ends thereof, an axle or shaft 13. Rotatable wheels 14 are mounted on the outer ends of the shaft 13 by locking nuts 15.

Seized within a pair of parallel, longitudinal grooves in the underside of the base 10 are a plurality of fingers or tines 16 which project downwardly alongside the foregoing shaft 13 and wheel 14 assembly. The tines 16 extend throughout the length of the base 10 and are spaced apart a distance of approximately one to two times the width of a tine itself.

The tines 16 are preferably constructed of a resiliently flexible material such as plastic, spring steel, or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, each tine 16 has a thickened body portion 16a which fits within the groove of the base 10, an elongate straight portion 16b, and an inwardly bent terminal portion 160 which is oriented at an angle of. approximately 45 from the straight portion 16b. The interior corners 16d or each tine are slightly rounded to eliminate any sharp edge thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tines 16 extend slightly beneath the rug-engaging surface 17 of the wheels 14 a distance of approximately one-eighth inch. The position of the tines in the stressed condition (i.e., when engaging the rug) are illustrated in broken lines.

Connected to each end of the base 10 and extending lengthwise along the exterior side of each row of tines 16 are a pair of wire retainers 18 which provide additional stability near the middle of the tines 16 for increased support in the stressed condition. The retainers 18 are secured together by clips 19 which interconnect the retainers 18 between the tines 16 closely adjacent the wheels 14.

Centrally of the base 10 and in the upper surface thereof is an angular bore 10a (FIG. 5) which receives a conventional round handle 20 of suitable length to be operated by an individual of average height and from a standing position. Such handle 20 is similar to that found on an ordinary push-broom. Disposed in one side of the base 10 is a slot 10b which receives the lower edge of the handle clamp 21 to provide additional support.

In operation, the groomer is raked across a shag rug with a pushing action, a pulling action, or a combination of both. With a pushing action, the back row of tines 16 are stressed with the terminal portion of each tine 16 being substantially perpendicular to the underlying surface 17 (FIG. 2) so each tine 16 acts to lift and separate the various strands of the shag rug while the wheels 14 limit the penetration of tines 16 into the carpeting. When the device is pulled toward the operator, the front row of tines 16 are stressed to rake the rug. With such application, the irregularity of pattern and appearance can be restored to shag rugs with a minimum of effort.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the invention are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A groomer for raking shag rugs and carpeting, said groomer comprising:

a base member,

an appliance supporting surface for engagement with said shag rug; and

a plurality of resiliently flexible fingers mounted on said base and extended beneath said supporting surface, said fingers being arranged in two, substantially parallel rows whereby one row of fingers rakes the rug when the groomer is moved across said shag rug in one direction with said supporting surface engaging said rug and theopposite row of fingers rakes the rug when the groomer is moved in the opposite direction to restore the loft and irregular pattern to the shag rug. 

1. A groomer for raking shag rugs and carpeting, said groomer comprising: a base member, an appliance supporting surface for engagement with said shag rug; and a plurality of resiliently flexible fingers mounted on said base and extended beneath said supporting surface, said fingers being arranged in two, substantially parallel rows whereby one row of fingers rakes the rug when the groomer is moved across said shag rug in one direction with said supporting surface engaging said rug and the opposite row of fingers rakes the rug when the groomer is moved in the opposite direction to restore the loft and irregular pattern to the shag rug. 